98 points James Suckling: "Aromas of blackberries, black olives, green olives and violets. It’s really aromatic. Full-bodied, yet so precise and polished with creamy, layered tannins that caress your palate. It’s extremely persistent and goes on for minutes. Only 40% new wood. Really balanced. All about purity and complexity From organically grown grapes. Try after 2023. (7/13/20)"
98 points Falstaff: "Rich ruby colour with a purple shimmer. Impressive nose with notes of cigar box and cardamom. In the background a plethora of berries, exciting. Filling the palate with an abundance of vivid and juicy fruit, unveiling finely-knit, multi layered tannin. Long and polished expression. (2/14/21)"
97 points Jane Anson (Decanter): "A 100% Merlot cuvée that totally delivers. This is seductive with tons of finesse and layers of liquorice and olive paste with grip and smoked swirls of grilled oak. I love the confidence and complexity of this wine. 2018 had less extreme temperatures than 2017 in this corner of Chianti, and it gives a lilting freshness while still guarding the wild fig and rosemary aromatics that give a sense of place. Fermentation is in small barrels and amphoras, with manual punching down of the skins. Overall, a gorgeous wine and an extremely easy bottle to recommend. 20,000 bottles, with the Place de Bordeaux responsible for all distribution outside of Italy. Organic certified since 2016. Owner and winemaker Luca Sanjust worked with the late Denis Durantou of L'Eglise Clinet during the early years of Petrolo, and certainly you can see some of the deft playing with the possibilities of Merlot that became the signature of both men. Drinking Window: 2023-2043. (Aug 2020)"
95-97 points Monica Larner (Wine Advocate): "Tasted from barrel, the gorgeous 2018 Galatrona promises much beauty to come. Luca Sanjust says that this is the most Pomerol of the Merlot-based Galatronas he has created, and indeed, the wine boasts impeccable balance and depth. You get some of the balsam herb notes that I found in the 2017 vintage, although those are greatly downplayed here, giving more room to cherry and blackberry fruit instead. The 2018 vintage offers energy, freshness and tonic fruit. Underground water reserves were plentiful in 2018, and the fruit ripened slowly and harmoniously, creating textural richness and succulence. Drink: 2021-2043. (Aug 2019)"
96 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "[$130 list] The flagship 2018 Galatrona, 100% Merlot, is very beautiful. Silky tannins wrap around a core of Merlot fruit. I am struck by how elegant the 2018 is, as Galatrona is so often a wine of impact. Black cherry, chocolate, game, leather, licorice and spice give the 2018 a good bit of nuance. This is an especially understated, refined edition of Galatrona. Drink: 2024-2038. (Sep 2020)"
98 points Falstaff: "Rich ruby colour with a purple shimmer. Impressive nose with notes of cigar box and cardamom. In the background a plethora of berries, exciting. Filling the palate with an abundance of vivid and juicy fruit, unveiling finely-knit, multi layered tannin. Long and polished expression. (2/14/21)"
97 points Jane Anson (Decanter): "A 100% Merlot cuvée that totally delivers. This is seductive with tons of finesse and layers of liquorice and olive paste with grip and smoked swirls of grilled oak. I love the confidence and complexity of this wine. 2018 had less extreme temperatures than 2017 in this corner of Chianti, and it gives a lilting freshness while still guarding the wild fig and rosemary aromatics that give a sense of place. Fermentation is in small barrels and amphoras, with manual punching down of the skins. Overall, a gorgeous wine and an extremely easy bottle to recommend. 20,000 bottles, with the Place de Bordeaux responsible for all distribution outside of Italy. Organic certified since 2016. Owner and winemaker Luca Sanjust worked with the late Denis Durantou of L'Eglise Clinet during the early years of Petrolo, and certainly you can see some of the deft playing with the possibilities of Merlot that became the signature of both men. Drinking Window: 2023-2043. (Aug 2020)"
95-97 points Monica Larner (Wine Advocate): "Tasted from barrel, the gorgeous 2018 Galatrona promises much beauty to come. Luca Sanjust says that this is the most Pomerol of the Merlot-based Galatronas he has created, and indeed, the wine boasts impeccable balance and depth. You get some of the balsam herb notes that I found in the 2017 vintage, although those are greatly downplayed here, giving more room to cherry and blackberry fruit instead. The 2018 vintage offers energy, freshness and tonic fruit. Underground water reserves were plentiful in 2018, and the fruit ripened slowly and harmoniously, creating textural richness and succulence. Drink: 2021-2043. (Aug 2019)"
96 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "[$130 list] The flagship 2018 Galatrona, 100% Merlot, is very beautiful. Silky tannins wrap around a core of Merlot fruit. I am struck by how elegant the 2018 is, as Galatrona is so often a wine of impact. Black cherry, chocolate, game, leather, licorice and spice give the 2018 a good bit of nuance. This is an especially understated, refined edition of Galatrona. Drink: 2024-2038. (Sep 2020)"
| Product SKU | 343794 |
| Producer | Petrolo |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Tuscany |
| Varietal | Merlot |
| Designation | Super Tuscan |
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Size | 750ml |
| Color | Red |
| Blend | 100% Merlot |
| ABV | 14.5% |
| Ships To |
